Pictured below are celebrities
who have spoken out with the voice of compassion on behalf of animals. In
a world filled with apathy and indifference, they are to be commended for
their stance as true guardians of our animal friends.

Mary Tyler MooreActress"I like [the]
term guardian as opposed to master or owner. It is an honor that is
bestowed on some of us and we need to treat it that
way"--from The Pet Press, Sept-Oct. 2002

Gretchen WylerVice President, The Humane Society of
the United States, Hollywood Office"It is truly time
for all of society to see animals as more than mere commodities or
property to be bought or sold, exploited or killed at an 'owner's'
whim. I am proud to be the guardian of my animal companions."

Jane GoodallThe Jane Goodall
Institute"In the legal sense, animals are regarded as
'things,' mere objects that can be bought, sold, discarded, or
destroyed at an owner's whim."

Jeffrey MassonAuthor, The Nine
Emotional Lives of Cats: A Journey into the Feline Heart, When
Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals and Dogs Never Lie
About Love "In Defense of Animals is truly achieving
something remarkable. For the first time in history, people are
being made aware of the fact that animals can no longer be
considered a 'thing,' a 'commodity,' or an 'object."

Doris DayActress & Singer
"With love from me, "Biggest," and "Lovey." I am their
guardian, and they are my angels!"

Shannon ElizabethActress"There are many
things I love that I "own", but my dogs are not one of those things.
Anything that cuddles up to you when you sleep, that kisses you when
you are sad, that plays with you when you are happy, that protects
you when you are scared is not something you are an "owner" of. It
is someONE. And you can never "own" someone. You can not "own"
something that loves you back. That is why guardian is a much more
appropriate term, and the truth is we are a team. My dogs and I love
each other and are guardians for each other. If you think you can
say that you "own" someone you love, I own them as much as they own
me."

Grant Aleksander, Actor"I own a house and a
car. These are things I own. My companion animals are part of my
family. They give me unconditional love and I give them room and
board. I do not believe anyone can own a living thing. That is why I
consider myself the guardian of my animal companions, never as their
owner."

Jim Mason, author, An Unnatural Order
and co-author
with Peter Singer, Animal Factories"Animals have been
regarded as property for way too long. It's high time we took on a
more loving and responsible relationship with our kindred beings in
the web of life on this beautiful planet. I always think and act as
a guardian towards my kindred beings, never as their owner".

Patrick McDonnell"Mutts" Cartoonist "I
never think of Earl as a dog I own. He's just Earl, a smart, happy,
kind, extremely good natured soul with whom I share my life."

Lynn Johnston"For Better Or Worse"
Cartoonist"Animals deserve all the love and care we can
give them"

Kyler England, singer/songwriter"Growing up
in the country in North Carolina I had a huge family which included
5 humans and an assortment of animal friends including horses, dogs,
cats, rabbits and the occasional chicken or guinea pig. I always
thought of our pets as part of the family, never as possesions so
using the word "guardian" in place of "owner" is intuitive for me.
IDA is doing important work to change the way people think about
their animal friends."

Tiffani ThiessenActress
"My dog and two cats are such a vital part of my life.
To say that I am their owner doesn't reflect at all the profound
bond and responsibility that I have towards them. Therefore, I
thoroughly support In Defense of Animals' initiative to utilize
'guardian' instead of owner."

“For over thirty years, we, at the Shambala Preserve, and The
Roar Foundation have thought of the big cats who have been abused,
abandoned, or neglected, as thinking…feeling..beings. We have always
thought of ourselves as guardians of these magnificent beings, who
have all been born in captivity to be sold as “pets”, which they are
not. One of our goals has been to educate the public to treat all
animals as part of life on our planet.

Wendie
MalickActress"Sometimes I'm not sure which of us is
the caregiver. The animals in our lives give us love, comfort and
joy so extravagantly"

Elayne BooslerComedian"It seems to me a
guardian is required to do everything an owner is, but on a higher
level, with actual consideration for the health and well being of
the living creature. If the term "owner" promoted better care than
"guardian" then we'd all own children, wouldn't we?"

Carol CaneActress"To the well-being of
animals everywhere."

Lane BrodySinger"Dr. Katz - So great
to work with you on behalf of the animals. God Bless You."

James Cromwell, Actor

Steve Valentine, Actor

Carole C. WilbournThe Cat
Therapist"How can we possibly "own" a cat or other
animal, whose exquisite range of emotions easily surpasses our
own. I am forever learning new and creative ways to approach life
from my cat. I feel privileged to be her guardian and strive to do
best I can do to respect and nurture her
life."

Lucinda
RuhSwiss Figure Skating
Champion"I am Tiffany's best friend and after I see
the humanly deeds, the humanly expression, the honesty, dignity,
sensitivity, and truth, the respect and love she has for me I can do
no less than treat her as my equal. How wonderful to be a guardian
of such a spirit."

Jennifer
RobinsonSix-time Canadian
Ladies Champion and Olympic Team Member"My dogs Harley
and Maxx are more than pets to me, they are a part of my life. To
mistreat them is the same as mistreating a family member. Their love
for me is unconditional as is my love for
them."

Tim Hockley – Publisher
& Dana Cox – Editor in Chief(seen
with Sabrina, rescued over 13 years ago, she remains lthe healthiest
15 year old Siberian Husky on the planet.)“Animal
Wellness Magazine has instituted a “Guardian” only policy and
encourages all writers, advertisers and contributors to do the same.
Awareness leads to education, education empowers individuals to take
action and action ultimately leads to improving the lives of
animals. Elliot, we applaud all that you and the IDA team
do.”

Peri
ParkerAuthor“Please never talk in
terms of ownership when it comes to any of our fellow creatures
because we are all living, breathing, thinking, feeling
beings. Guardian is the perfect word to use when it comes to
the relationship between people and the other animals who
share this one world, and IDA is doing brilliant work reminding us
of this fact.”

Shelley Morrison“Rosario” on Will
& Grace“We have always referred to our animals,
all rescued, as our Fur Kids. They, in their infinite wisdom, have
taught us the most important sense – Common
Sense.”